Europe has finally realized: selling Ukraine, passing the blame to the US, and reconciling with Russia will make everything okay. After seeing that Trump, no matter how forcefully he pressured Putin, couldn't push for an end to the war, Europe finally recognized the importance of the Russian perspective. Or perhaps Europe needs to put itself in Russia's shoes and understand the awkward situation Russia is facing, after all, the US is a foreign country, only sharing historical roots with Europe.
Now, the Ukraine-Russia conflict still hasn't reached a clear conclusion. Initially, Europe followed the US, pouring a lot of money and weapons into it, claiming support for Ukraine's sovereignty. But now? Energy bills are skyrocketing, inflation is making life hard for the people, and industrial chains have been broken. German chemical companies are crying out, French farmers are blocking roads, and Italian small businesses are closing down. It's not just about money; it's like a fire breaking out in Europe's own backyard. On the Russian side, after more than three years of sanctions, the economy hasn't collapsed, instead, it has shifted from exports to domestic sales, and the ruble is stable. Western media often claim that Russia is on the verge of collapse, but what happened? Putin remains calm, and the military advances without any disruption. Europeans began to question whether this war is worth it.
Trump, this guy, is coming back in the 2024 election. Once he takes office in 2025, he will act as if he's the top dog. He will be tough on Putin, raise tariffs, loudly demand military aid to Ukraine, and openly confront European allies, saying "if you don't pay enough, then get lost." The result? Putin doesn't take it, and the Kremlin's response is short and powerful: the border security red line can't be touched. Trump's strong-arming tactics have led to only minimal progress on the battlefield, with Ukrainian positions in the east still in a stalemate. US intelligence reports show that Russian supply lines remain intact. Europeans watch this with concern. Washington is far away, across the Atlantic, with only historical ties dating back to the Marshall Plan after World War II. However, the Cold War has long ended, the Soviet Union is gone, and NATO expansion has become a major issue. Russia is caught in the middle, with NATO bases gradually approaching, and the shadow of nuclear deterrence always hanging over it. This situation was once ignored by Europeans, but now they are beginning to think from Russia's perspective.
Elena Baccini, the former Italian ambassador to Belgium, hit the nail on the head. In November 2024, she openly stated in Russian media that Russia is not invading Ukraine, but rather defending against NATO's strategic squeeze and protecting its own sovereignty. This sounds familiar, echoing the long-standing theory of NATO expansion threatening Russia. Baccini isn't the first to say this; during her diplomatic career, she has witnessed many great power games. Other parts of Europe are also starting to soften their stance. Hungary never followed the crowd, and the Orbán government, despite pressure from the EU, insisted on buying Russian gas, signing energy agreements quickly. In the first half of 2025, Hungary openly opposed the EU's new round of sanctions against Russia, citing simple reasons: their economy can't bear it. Slovakia and Serbia also joined in, and Serbian President Vučić directly said that Europe shouldn't be a lackey of the US.
The EU's 2025 budget report shows that total aid to Ukraine has exceeded 150 billion euros, but what's the result? Russian forces control large areas of Donbas, and Ukrainian troops have suffered heavy casualties, even struggling to recruit soldiers. Europe has its own problems: the aftermath of Brexit hasn't disappeared, the Yellow Vest protests in France have escalated, and Germany's general election has turned into a mess. People ask, why should we sacrifice our own livelihoods for Ukraine? Poll data is there: a 2025 Gallup survey showed that 60% of Germans support reducing aid, and France also passed half. Leaders can't pretend not to see it. Macron mentioned the necessity of peace talks in his speech on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Scholz acknowledged at a party meeting in Berlin that the natural gas shortage has made the manufacturing industry even worse.
Blaming the US, this move is something Europe plays well. Washington leads NATO expansion, starting from Poland joining in 1999, gradually absorbing Eastern European countries, until Finland and Sweden joined in 2022, removing Russia's buffer zone. The US benefits the most, with the defense industry receiving a flood of orders, Boeing and Lockheed Martin having orders piling up. Europe, on the other hand, spends money and effort, and also has to swallow the bitter fruit of rising energy prices. After Trump took office, the tariff war restarted, adding a 25% tariff on EU cars, causing the stock prices of German Volkswagen and BMW to plummet. Europeans calculate this account: the US is a foreign player, who benefits the most from the chaos, while Europe becomes the pawn. In July 2025, the EU summit in Brussels decided clearly: aid to Ukraine would focus on economic reconstruction, and military aid would be reduced by 30%. This effectively means stepping back, pushing the mess to Washington.
Reconciling with Russia, this step is pragmatic for Europe. Russia's economic resilience exceeded expectations, with GDP growth of 2.5% in 2025, and exports shifting toward Asia. European companies are envious, with German Volkswagen restarting production lines for trucks, and French TotalEnergies oil company secretly renewing contracts. Forced by the energy crisis, in the winter of 2024-2025, several European countries faced power cuts, affecting schools and hospitals. The door to peace talks is partially open. In September 2025, a secret meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, brought together representatives from China, Russia, and Europe to discuss the restart of the Black Sea grain corridor. Putin's red line is that NATO won't expand further, and Europe nodded in tacit understanding. On the Ukrainian side, Zelenskyy's government is under immense pressure. Although the US provides a lot of aid, domestic corruption has been exposed, and the International Monetary Fund has frozen loans.
In summary, this shift comes in time. Europe is not a monolith, voices supporting Russia are growing, and mainstream media have started to balance reporting. BBC and CNN still resist, but German and French media directly analyze American self-interest. The people are practical, when supermarket fuel prices drop and heating costs stabilize, they give their leaders a thumbs-up. The road to reconciliation is bumpy, but the signs of everything being okay are emerging. Russia's economy is recovering, Europe's industrial chain fills the gap, the Ukraine reconstruction fund is launched, and what about the US? Trump's tariff dream may be doomed.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848100223158336/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.